Avery interesting book by American political analyst and Stanford visiting scholar David Timberman titled, A Changeless Land: Continuity and Change in Philippine Politics, boldly but succinctly dissects “traditional Philippine political culture” into the following elements: 1) The primacy of kinship, 2) Pakikisama and 3) Utang na loob.
While such concepts are generally considered classic traits in this country, Filipinos—regardless of age, social standing, educational attainment or political leaning—are fully aware that these practices lose their virtue once pursued in the political realm. Inversely—to put family first, be convivial and agreeable, and to perpetually owe a debt of gratitude—result in the very pitfalls of a promising land, in a vicious cycle that seems more and more impossible to break.